Like many other construction occupations, employment opportunities
are affected by the cyclical nature of the construction industry
and can vary greatly by State and locality.

Nature of the Work

Construction laborers can be found on almost all construction
sites performing a wide range of tasks from the very easy
to the potentially hazardous. They can be found at building,
highway, and heavy construction sites; tunnel and shaft excavations;
and demolition sites. Many of the jobs they perform require
physical strength and some training and experience. Other
jobs require little skill and can be learned in a short amount
of time. While most construction laborers tend to specialize
in a type of construction, such as highway or tunnel construction,
they are generalists who perform many different tasks during
all stages of construction. However, construction laborers
who work in underground construction, such as in tunnels,
or in demolition are more likely to specialize in only those
areas.

Construction laborers clean and prepare construction sites,
which may require them to remove asbestos or lead-based paint
from buildings. Laborers also remove trees and debris, tend
pumps, compressors and generators, and build forms for pouring
concrete. They erect and disassemble scaffolding and other
temporary structures. They load, unload, identify, and distribute
building materials to the appropriate location according to
project plans and specifications. Laborers also tend machines;
for example, they may mix concrete using a portable mixer
or tend a machine that pumps concrete, grout, cement, sand,
plaster, or stucco through a spray gun for application to
ceilings and walls. Construction laborers often help other
craftworkers, including carpenters, plasterers, operating
engineers, and masons.

Construction laborers are responsible for oversight of the
installation and maintenance of traffic control devices and
patterns. At heavy and highway construction sites, this work
may include clearing and preparing highway work zones and
rights of way; installing traffic barricades, cones, and markers;
and controlling traffic passing near, in, and around work
zones. They also dig trenches, install sewer, water, and storm
drain pipes, and place concrete and asphalt on roads. Other
highly specialized tasks include operating laser guidance
equipment to place pipes, operating air, electric, and pneumatic
drills, and transporting and setting explosives for tunnel,
shaft, and road construction.

Construction laborers operate a variety of equipment including
pavement breakers; jackhammers; earth tampers; concrete, mortar,
and plaster mixers; electric and hydraulic boring machines;
torches; small mechanical hoists; laser beam equipment; and
surveying and measuring equipment. They may use computers
and other high-tech input devices to control robotic pipe
cutters and cleaners. To perform their jobs effectively, construction
laborers must be familiar with the duties of other craftworkers
and with the materials, tools, and machinery they use.

Construction laborers often work as part of a team with other
skilled craftworkers, jointly carrying out assigned construction
tasks. At other times, construction laborers may work alone,
reading and interpreting instructions, plans, and specifications
with little or no supervision.

Working Conditions

Most laborers do physically demanding work. They may lift
and carry heavy objects, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
in awkward positions. Some work at great heights, or outdoors
in all weather conditions. Some jobs expose workers to harmful
materials or chemicals, fumes, odors, loud noise, or dangerous
machinery. Some laborers may be exposed to lead-based paint,
asbestos, or other hazardous substances during their work
especially when working in confined spaces. To avoid injury,
workers in these jobs wear safety clothing, such as gloves,
hardhats, protective chemical suits, and devices to protect
their eyes, respiratory system, or hearing. While working
in underground construction, construction laborers must be
especially alert to safely follow procedures and must deal
with a variety of hazards.

Construction laborers generally work 8-hour shifts, although
longer shifts are common. Overnight work may be required when
working on highways. Construction laborers may work only during
certain seasons in certain parts of the country. They may
also experience weather-related work stoppages at any time
of the year.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Many construction laborer jobs require few skills, but others
require specialized training and experience. Many workers
enter the occupation with few skills by obtaining a job with
a contractor who will then provide on-the-job training. Entry-level
workers generally start as helpers, assisting more experienced
workers. A growing route of entry is through temporary help
agencies that send laborers to construction sites for short-term
work. Beginning laborers perform routine tasks, such as cleaning
and preparing the worksite and unloading materials. When the
opportunity arises, they learn from experienced construction
trades workers how to do more difficult tasks, such as operating
tools and equipment. During this time, the construction laborer
may elect to attend a trade or vocational school, or community
college to receive further trade-related training.

The most skilled laborers usually have more formalized training.
Some employers, particularly large nonresidential construction
contractors with union membership, offer employees formal
apprenticeships. These programs include between 2 and 4 years
of classroom and on-the-job training. A core curriculum consisting
of basic construction skills such as blueprint reading, the
correct use of tools and equipment, and knowledge of safety
and health procedures comprises the first 200 hours. The remainder
of the curriculum consists of specialized skills training
in three of the largest segments of the construction industry:
Building construction; heavy/highway construction; and environmental
remediation, such as lead or asbestos abatement, and mold
or hazardous waste remediation. Workers who use dangerous
equipment or handle toxic chemicals usually receive specialized
training in safety awareness and procedures. Apprenticeship
applicants usually must be at least 18 years old and meet
local requirements. Because the number of apprenticeship programs
is limited, however, only a small proportion of laborers learn
their trade through these programs.

High school classes in English, mathematics, physics, mechanical
drawing, blueprint reading, welding, and general shop are
recommended. Laborers need manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination,
good physical fitness, an ability to work as a member of a
team, and a good sense of balance. The ability to solve arithmetic
problems quickly and accurately also is required. In addition,
a good work history or military service is viewed favorably
by contractors. Computer skills also are important for advancement
as construction becomes increasingly mechanized and computerized.

Through training and experience, laborers can move into other
construction occupations. Laborers may also advance to become
construction supervisors or general contractors. For those
who would like to advance, it is increasingly important to
be able to communicate in both English and Spanish in order
to relay instructions and safety precautions to workers with
limited understanding of English; Spanish-speaking workers
make up a large part of the construction workforce in many
areas. Supervisors and contractors need good English skills
in order to deal with clients and subcontractors. Supervisors
and contractors should be able to identify and estimate the
quantity of materials needed to complete a job, and accurately
estimate how long a job will take to complete and at what
cost.

Employment

Construction laborers held about 1 million jobs in 2004.
They worked throughout the country but, like the general population,
were concentrated in metropolitan areas. Most construction
laborers work in the construction industry and almost one-third
work for special trade contractors. About 15 percent were
self-employed in 2004.

Job Outlook

Employment of construction laborers is expected to grow more
slowly than average for all occupations through the year 2014
as the construction industry in general grows more slowly
than it has in the recent past . However, job opportunities
are expected to be good due to the numerous openings that
rise each year as laborers leave the occupation. Opportunities
will be best for those with experience and specialized skills,
and for those willing to relocate to areas with new construction
projects. Opportunities will also be good for laborers specializing
in lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials removal.

Although construction will continue to grow, construction
laborer jobs will be adversely affected by automation as some
jobs are replaced by new machines and equipment that improve
productivity and quality. Also, laborers will be increasingly
employed by staffing agencies that will contract laborers
out to employers on a temporary basis.

Employment of construction laborers, like that of many other
construction workers, can be variable or intermittent due
to the limited duration of construction projects and the cyclical
nature of the construction industry. Employment opportunities
can vary greatly by State and locality. During economic downturns,
job openings for construction laborers decrease as the level
of construction activity declines.

Earnings

Median hourly earnings of construction laborers in May 2004
were $12.10. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.47 and
$16.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.71, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.61. Median hourly
earnings in the industries employing the largest number of
construction laborers in May 2004 were as follows:

Highway, street, and bridge construction

$13.55

Nonresidential building construction

12.94

Other specialty trade contractors

12.43

Residential building construction

12.18

Foundation, structure, and building
exterior contractors

11.90

Earnings for construction laborers can be reduced by poor
weather or by downturns in construction activity, which sometimes
result in layoffs. Apprentices or helpers usually start at
about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers.
Pay increases as apprentices gain experience and learn new
skills.

Some laborers belong to the Laborers’ International Union
of North America.

Related Occupations

The work of construction laborers is closely related to other
construction occupations. Other workers who perform similar
physical work include persons in material-moving occupations;
forest, conservation, and logging workers; and grounds maintenance
workers.

Sources of Additional Information

For information about jobs as construction laborers, contact
local building or construction contractors, local joint labor-management
apprenticeship committees, apprenticeship agencies, or the
local office of your State Employment Service.